Lindsay had just got on the highway when the steering wheel started to shake.

Forced to pull over at a nearby rest stop, Lindsay had no clue what was wrong with her car. After a tow, and vehicle check-up, she got the news.

Her tires were simply off balance. All Lindsay needed was an alignment and tire rotation, and her car was good to go!

To stay safe on the road, you need to know about the most common car problems and the best ways to fix them. So take a look! By the time you’re done reading this article, you’ll be a safer, more knowledgeable car owner.

1. Vehicle Issues Warning Lights Indicate

You’re driving down the road when suddenly you notice your dashboard has a warning light. Should you pull over? Most likely.

Here’s a shortlist of some of the most common warning lights that you’ll see:

  • Anti-lock brake
  • Traction control
  • Oil pressure
  • Tire pressure
  • Engine temperature

You should never ignore a warning light, no matter what the light is. If you notice a warning light comes on for your engine temperature, you’ll need to take immediate action.

Almost every gasoline-powered car uses a 4 stroke combustion cycle. Continuing to drive while your engine is overheated could cause a complete engine failure.

The engine could have something wrong with it that’s causing it to heat up, or your coolant levels might be below. The minute the light comes on, pull over and call for a tow. 

2. Engine Problems or Dead Battery?

How can you tell if your car battery dies? There are a few different things to look up for.

For instance, do the headlights come on but the vehicle won’t start? Or is the car starting, but it’s slow and stuttered start? Then it might be time to replace your car battery.

Here are a few other signs that your car battery is on its way out the door:

  • Battery is swollen
  • Foul battery odor
  • Outdated battery
  • Vehicle start/stops
  • Flashing check engine light

You can perform a battery load test at home or take it to a local auto shop. If you have a truck, go the extra mile with a truck tune up while you’re there. 

3. Car Issues With Air in Brake Line

While your car is at rest, push down on the brake. Does the brake pedal go down easily?

Or is there some resistance and a spongy-like feeling? Then you probably have air in the brake system.

Car problems involving your brakes need immediate attention. Luckily, having air in the brake line is easy to fix if you have an ABS braking system.

How exactly can you get the air out of your brake line? Turn on your ignition and lightly apply pressure to the brake pedal.

Have a friend open the bleeder screw to drain out the brake fluid. The fluid should continue to flow until it is clear.

Close the first screw, and do the same thing to the second bleeder screw. Finally, pump the pedal 40 to 50 times. Now all of the air should be out of your brake lines!

Overcoming Car Problems 

Now you know about some of the most common car problems and how to quickly fix them. It’s clear to see that when something goes wrong with your car, swift action is the best choice.

If you notice something’s not quite right with your vehicle, take it to the auto shop today. Even if everything’s okay, it never hurts to get a car check-up.

When your car is running well, you’ll be able to stay as safe as possible on the road. For more ways to stay safe out there, explore the rest of our site.